Safety-fastening for doors.



L. A. DE WATERS. SAFETY FASTENING FOR DOORS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. I915.

L28?,91 1., Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

WM macaw: 5 vwqm ko'c 952g. lwo f aw? ran srarns rnrnnr mim LEWIS A. DE WATERS, OF CEDARHUBST, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DE VJATERS SAFETY LATCH CQMPANY (INCL), OF FAR ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK, A CORFORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY-FASTENING FOR DOORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

Application filed March 30, 1915. Serial No. 18,051.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS A. DE WATERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedarhurst, in the county of Nassau and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Safety-Fastening for Doors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention especially relates to the safe and secure fastening of such doors as are used in places where large bodies of fire and high heats are employed and where it is necessary to use the utmost precaution not only for the protection of those in attendance but to insure against loss by fire.

Primarily the invention was made to 1nsure the closing of and securely holding 1n place the fire doors of stationary and marine boilers also the doors of locomotives and to safeguard the fireman or operators against the disastrous consequences of a flame under pressure or a back-draft frequently occasioned by the bursting of a steam pipe in the boiler; and the scattering of hot coals incidental to sudden shock and accidents of all sorts.

Very many of the appliances now in use for the purpose described are ill fitted, carelessly made, and but poorly adapted to the purpose. Frequently where a latch of the grip pattern is employed, the engaging parts are shaped with a slant, or there is so much waste room and motion in the make up that any sudden shock will disengage the grip and force the door suddenly wide open causing accidents, and such are at all times a menace to the fireman.

It is essential that the fastening should be made of ample strength, of but few parts, simple yet durable; with a minimum of movement to avoid excessive shock; be positive in its action, and to be effective and satisfactory as a means of safety.

In the accompanying drawings, v

Figure 1, is an end elevation illustrating the practical application of my device to a furnace door;

Fig. 2, is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. l, with the latch raised and disengaged from the depressed latch seat or catch;

Fig. 4., is a detail view of the latch in side elevation;

Fig. 5, is a front view of the same;

Fig. 6, is a side view of the latch holding block to clearly illustrate the extension of said holding block beneath the latch for purposes hereinafter set forth in the specification;

Fig. 7, is a top view of the latch holding block to show the curvature of that portion of the latch holder to conform to the shape of the door to which the latch is applied;

Fig. 8, is a detail view of the catch.

Throughout the specification I allude to the uplifting part of the device D, as the latch and to the stationary or immovable part a, which engages with the latch, as the latch seat.

In the drawing similar letters of reference indicate similar parts.

A, represents a door frame of a boiler, furnace or other inclosure to which the latch seat a, is secured by the bolts a a It will be observed that the latch seat a, is made with an inclined surface a leading from its nose up to the latch seat shoulder a Fig. 8, for the purpose of raising the latch more readily when the door is being closed and better insuring the locking of the parts. The nose.of the latch seat a, as well as that of the latch D, are both rounded to facilitate the movement and engagement of latch and latch seat B, is the door amb against which the door closes and is fastened to the frame A, in the usual manner.

C, is the furnace or boiler door secured to the boiler by hinges, the usual means.

D, is a weighted latch attached to the boiler door C, by the pivotal bolt E. If this bolt is taken as a fulcrum, and the latch from the fulcrum to the latch seat is assumed to be a lever, and the weight of the latch is considered, the power exerted to overcome resistance and to seat the latch will be in evidence.

The latch D has, at its upper extremity, a cast grip or catch, which engages with and interlocks with a latch seat a, corresponding in form, and the two grip in vertical line to prevent slipping.

To better distinguish the different parts of the latch, this upper and interlocking part is referred to as the upper extremity of the latch.

That part of the latch in the vicinity of the pivot bolt E, and beneath it, is described as the lower extremity of the latch, and in consequence of the peculiar configuration of its posterior or base, and its special application "for a definite purpose, it is divided into two sections, designated herein as the inner and outer section of the lower extremity of the latch. llhe inner section of the lower extremity of the latch is that portion of the latch nearest to the latch seat a, and begins at the shoulder d, Fig. 1, and extends inwardly to a line that may be indicated by dropping a plumb from the center of the pivot bolt; from this imaginary vertical line to the point of the shoulder 1!. the base of this inner section is parallel with a line that may be run horizontallv'through the center of the pivot bolt E, in the direction of the end of the latch seat a, and this line will also be parallel with the upper surface of the lug extension f and by reason of this horizontal base, the latch when locked and at rest. is always level, and when unlocked is always in a better position for relocking. The outer section oi? the lower extremity of the latch D, adjoins the inner section and extends outwardly to the end of the shoulder (F. The base of this outer section is not in line with that of the inner section, but is chamfercd and cut away, from a point directly beneath the center or" the pivot bolt, outwardly, to a degree that will permit the latch D, to turn on the pivot bolt E, and raise the interlocking part or" the upper extremity oi the latch D, and disengage it from the latch seat a. It will be observed that the base of the inner and the base of the outer sections of the lower extremity of the latch have jointly the configuration of a broken stick or bent rod.

it will also be observed that directly beneath the inner and outer sections of the lower extremity of the latch D, is a lug extension of the holding block F, having a plane and horizontal upper surface, but toobtain strength is madein the form of a spherical segment, and cotiperates with the inner and outer sections of the latch D, to limit the upward and downward movement of the interlocking end of the latch D. The upper surface of the lug extension not only cooperates in limiting the movement of the latch but is instrumental in maintaining the latch at all times when unlocked in a proper position for relocking; the surface of f is plain and horizontal, and is vplaced suliiciently close to the base of each section of the lower extremity oi the latch D, to allow the shoulders (Z and (F, of the latch D, to abut, with ample surface and leverage, against the face of the lug extension 7, when the latch D, turns on the pivot bolt E, in either direction, and thereby, to arrest and limit the movement of the locking end of the latch in an upward or downward direction, accordingly as the shoulder or (1 may abut against the lug extension An additional object of the lug extension 3, is to maintain the latch, when not eneeann gaged with the latch seat, in a proper condition of readiness to instantly engage with the latch seat, when required so to do, without further preparation or adjustment.

l represents asteel block or lug to hold the latch attachments in place. I designate it as the holding block, its equivalent may be cast directly upon the door to save the labor and expense of filling in the convex surface and irregularities of the door plate. When made as shown in the drawings, however, the block-holder is secured to the door by bolts or screws f, f, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

It may be further stated that the base or posterior part of the outer section of the lower extremity of the latch is chamfered or cut away sufficiently to afford just enough room for the latch D, to tilt outwardly, and permit the latch to disengage from the latch seat with ample space for clearance, which will depend on the depth of the latch notch plus the clearance, and the amount of space between the base of the inner sectionof the lower extremity of the latch and the upper surface of the lug extension f I prefer to have them in close touch when the fastening is locked, as a matter of economy.

(Z3, is aclevis appended to the upper part of the weighted latch by means of a bolt (i The clevis is provided with an eyelet or ring 2?, secured to the clevis by the bolt 9, to which may be attached a chain 5, to reach from the boiler to an upper balcony or win dow. lt is especially provided for use with marine boilers.

M, M, M, are the usual air vents of boiler doors.

N, N, N, are bolt holes for bolting the door and frame to the boiler.

P, P, P, are the hinges for securing the door to the boiler.

Having described the several parts of the mechanism, its operation is as follows: As presented by the drawing Fig. 1, the boiler door is closed and the fastening is locked; to open the door, the latch is raised as far as possible, and the door is pulled toward you; upon the uplifting of the latch by hand the interlocking parts of the latch and the latch seat, at the upper extremity of the latch, are disengaged. It will be observed, reference being made to the drawing Fig. 1, that be fore raising the latch that the base of the inner section of the lower extremity of the latch is parallel and contiguous with the inner and upper surface of the lug extension P; the pivot bolt E, being in place, the interlocking end of the latch is prevented from dropping any lower in consequence of the shoulder 61 abuttin with force against the lug extension f which absolutely limits all movements of the upper and interlocking end of the latch in a downward direction, regardless of other parts, and that the under part of the outer section of the lower extremity of the latchbeing chamfered or cut away from a v the center of the ivot bolt of the latch, opportunity is aiforded for the latch, when under pressure, to turn upon its pivot bolt E, which it could not do except for the chamfer, and to drop until it is stopped by contact of the shoulder Z with the upper surface of the lug extension P.

The latch and latch seat having been disengaged, and the door pulled forward, in consequence of the release of the holding power and the preponderance of weight near the upper end of the latch, the latch drops forward until its downward movement is stopped by the shoulder al again coming in contact with the lug extension 7*, and there resting with the door open in a suitable position for relocking without further attention until it becomes necessary to close the door again, when a strong push will accomplish the result. As the latch again approaches the latch seat it rises above the nose a of the latch seat a, by the impulse and momentum received, unt1l its upward movement is arrested by the turning of the latch D, upon the pivot bolt E, and the shoulder d of the outer section of the lower extremityof the latch is brought forcibly in contact with the outer section of the lug extension 7 It will be apparent that both the upward and downward movement of the interlocking parts of the latch are limited and controlled by the action of the latch, in combination with the lug extension, and that the.

whole mechanism is simplified, strengthened and made more effective for the purpose.

I am fully aware that notched and weighted latches have long been in use, and are public property. I am also aware that complicated combinations ofhousings, springs and other attachments have been employed to control the action of the latch, but none of them are satisfactorily adapted to :the purpose, and I make no claim to any of them except in combination with the device herein described.

Having fully explained my invention, what I claim'as new and desire to secure by the Letters Patent of the United States is:-

l. A safety latch for boiler furnace doors and the like, com risingakeeper having a substantially vertical holding face, a-latch having a latch face to engage said holding face and having a body portion adapted to normally extendin substantially a horizon-.

tal position, a pivot forthe latch mounted on the furnace door, a pair of stop faces on the body portion of the latch and beneath said pivot, a stop lug carried by the door and adapted to be engaged by said stop faces point immediately beneath when it is immediately stopped.

whereby the engagement with one of said stop faces maintains said latch in normal horizontal position and the engagement with the other of said stop facespermits the latch to raise sufliciently to clear the end of the keeper, and aweight above said body portion and rigidly connected therewith between the latch face and the pivot whereby the inertia of the said weight prevents said latch from rebound andalso from lifting when the door is subjected to pressure from within the furnace.

2. A safety latch for boiler furnace doors and the like, comprising a pivoted latch adapted to be carried by the door and about which pivot the latch is adapted to turn, rigid stopping means on the door, stop faces on the latch adapted to contact with said stopping means, a nose upon the end of the latch and having the holding face thereof extending 'at substantiallyvright angles to the plane of movement of the door, a neck rigidly and directly connected to the latch above the same between the pivot and said nose, and a weight on the upper end of the'neck, whereby a vertical line through the center of gravity of the weight at all times passes between the nose and said pivot so that the inertia of said weight is transmitted by the neck directly to the latch and maintains certainty of operation of the latch.

3. As anarticle ofmanufacture, a safety latch comprising a rigid substantially L- shaped member, a pivot in the end of the horizontal leg of the L, a latch nose adja' cent and beneath the junction of the ver tical and horizontal legs of the L, and a weight-on the upper end of the rigid vertical leg of the L, whereby a vertical line through the center of gravity of said weight at all times the nose.

4. As an article ofmanu-facture, a safety latch comprising a body portion adapted to be pivoted at one end upon a suitable door, a nose member on the other end of the body portion, and a heavy weight above the body passes between the pivot and portion .and rigidly connected thereto adjacent the noseportion whereby rebound forces are absorbed by said weight thereby insuring positive action of the latch.

5. As an article of'manufacture, a safety 'latchcomprising anL-shapedmember havmg a pivot in the endrof the "horizontal leg of the L, and a weight on the end of the 1 vertical leg of the L, and a latch nose adjacent and beneath the junction of the vertical and horizontal legs of the L.

- LEWIS -A,. DE WATERS.

Witnesses:

- CARLETQN Macy,

LEWIS A. HOWLAND. 

